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Assessment of Proposed UV Disinfection Solution

The use of germicidal UV radiation has been used for over 100 years to
combat the spread and transmission of infectious agents, such as viruses,
bacteria and fungi because of its many positive properties – especially
compared to other disinfection methods for example in the pharmaceutical
sector and in food packaging. The term ultraviolet originates from Latin,
which translates as beyond violet, which means that the wavelength is above
the violet color, not visible to the human eye.

UV-C air disinfection operates on the principle of ultraviolet germicidal

irradiation (UVGI), which uses UV-C light (wavelength ~253.7 nm) to
destroy or inactivate microorganisms. The UV-C radiation disrupts the DNA or
RNA of pathogens, preventing replication and rendering them harmless.

1. Absorption of UV-C Light: Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses,

and fungi absorb UV-C light at wavelengths around 200-280 nm, with
peak effectiveness at 253.7 nm.
2. DNA/RNA Damage: UV-C photons penetrate the cell wall and are
absorbed by nucleic acids, forming pyrimidine dimers in DNA. This
mutation prevents the organism from replicating or functioning
normally.
3. Air Movement Through UV-C Systems: Air is circulated through the
disinfection unit, ensuring pathogens within the airflow are exposed to
sufficient UV-C light for neutralization.
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The ambient air is drawn into the closed housing with the help of a fans and
exposed to the radiation from a UV-C tube. The sterilized air then flows out at
the end of the device without any UV-C radiation escaping.

Working Principle of UV-C Air Disinfection

UV-C air disinfection utilizes ultraviolet light at a wavelength of 253.7 nm,

which is highly effective in inactivating microorganisms such as bacteria,
viruses, and fungi. The UV-C light penetrates the microbial cells and damages
their DNA or RNA, preventing replication and effectively neutralizing them.

In hospitals, UV-C air disinfection works through mechanisms:

Upper-Room Air Disinfection:

UV-C fixtures are mounted on walls or ceilings to create a zone of
disinfection in the upper portion of a room. As air naturally circulates or
is forced by fans, airborne pathogens in the upper air are exposed to UV-
C light and neutralized.

Example:

In a hospital emergency room, an upper-room UV-C system can reduce

airborne transmission of pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and
SARS-CoV-2.
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Types of UV-C Air Disinfection Systems

1. Standalone Air Purifiers with UV-C:

o Portable units equipped with UV-C lamps.
o Ideal for small spaces or supplementary disinfection in high-risk
areas.
o Example: In patient wards to reduce cross-contamination.

2. Upper-Room UV-C Fixtures:

o Mounted on walls or ceilings.
o Creates a zone of UV-C light in the upper part of the room.
o Example: Emergency rooms or waiting areas to control airborne
transmission.

Advantages of UV-C Air Disinfection in Hospitals

 Effectiveness: Inactivates over 99% of airborne pathogens under

optimal conditions.
 Non-Chemical: Eliminates the need for chemical disinfectants, reducing
exposure risks.
 Continuous Protection: Can operate 24/7, providing ongoing
disinfection.
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Challenges and Considerations

1. Safety: Direct UV-C exposure can harm skin and eyes. Proper shielding and
design are essential.
2. Airflow Dependency: Effectiveness depends on airflow patterns; stagnant
air may limit disinfection.
3. Lamp Maintenance: UV-C lamps degrade over time and require regular
replacement for consistent output.
4. Intensity and Coverage: The power of 9W may be effective depending on
the room size and air exchange rate. Ensuring that the upper-air UVC
exposure is sufficient for the room volume is crucial for proper air
disinfection.

References

1. Kowalski, W. (2020). Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook.

Springer.
2. WHO Guidelines (2021). "Use of UV-C for Air Disinfection in Healthcare
Settings."
3. Beggs, C. B. (2010). "The Use of UV in Air and Surface Disinfection."
Journal of Hospital Infection.

Lower Surface Disinfection (Far UV-C at 200 nm, 15W with 1s

bursts):Far UV-C (200–222 nm) is effective at inactivating viruses on
surfaces while minimizing harm to human skin and eyes due to its
limited penetration depth (Buonanno et al., 2020).Short, intermittent
bursts (1s every 30s) are efficient for continuous disinfection of
surfaces, allowing for lower cumulative exposure to occupants (Welch
et al., 2018).Key findings and evidence from research studies include:

1. Efficacy Against Pathogens: Far UV-C at 222 nm effectively inactivates

a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-
2), and fungi. It achieves a 99.9% reduction in pathogens with relatively
small doses of radiant energy. Unlike traditional 254 nm UV-C, which
can harm skin and eyes, filtered 222 nm UV-C does not penetrate the
outer layers of skin or the tear layer of the eyes, making it safe for use in
occupied spaces
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2. Clinical Applications: Research demonstrates that 222 nm UV-C light

can reduce contamination on high-touch surfaces such as hospital
floors, doorknobs, and equipment. It is incorporated into overhead
luminaires, which allows for continuous disinfection of surfaces and air
during normal activities in healthcare environments
3. Safety Studies: Trials have shown that exposure to filtered 222 nm UV-
C does not cause erythema (skin reddening) or DNA damage at
regulatory exposure limits, supporting its safe use around patients and
staff in hospitals.
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For references, the following studies and technologies are noteworthy:

 Brenner, D. J., et al., “Far-UVC light (222 nm) efficiently and safely
inactivates airborne human coronaviruses,” Nature, 2020.
 Nishigori, C., et al., “Exploratory clinical trial on the safety and
bactericidal effect of 222-nm ultraviolet C irradiation in healthy
humans,” PLOS ONE, 2020.
 Acuity Brands, “Care222: A New Standard in Disinfection Lighting,”
2023.
 Buonanno, M., Welch, D., Shuryak, I., & Brenner, D. J. (2020). Far-UVC
light (222 nm) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human
coronaviruses. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1-8.

Conclusion on Effectiveness:

The proposed solution is likely effective for both upper-air and lower-
surface disinfection:The UVC light (253.7 nm) in the upper air should
effectively reduce airborne pathogens if installed properly. The far- UVC
light (200 nm) can effectively disinfect surfaces with limited exposure
risks when used in brief intervals. Effectiveness would depend on
factors such as room airflow dynamics, surface reflectivity, and proper
calibration of UV exposure times.
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Potential Hazards of Proposed Solution

Health Hazards:

1. Upper Air UVC Radiation (253.7 nm):

o UVC radiation at this wavelength can cause eye and skin irritation if
directly exposed, though ceiling-mounted devices minimize exposure
(ICNIRP, 2004).
o Proper shielding and distance from occupied zones are necessary to
protect hospital staff and patients.
2. Far UV-C (200 nm) for Surface Disinfection:
o Far UV-C is generally safer for skin and eyes due to its shallow
penetration depth but may still have long-term exposure risks for
sensitive populations (Welch et al., 2018).
o Cumulative exposure must be managed, even with intermittent bursts,
to prevent potential adverse effects over time.

Equipment Hazards:

 UV-C light may degrade materials like plastics over time, requiring careful
selection of materials for UV-exposed surfaces (Sliney, 2013).

References:

o ICNIRP (2004). Guidelines on Limits of Exposure to Ultraviolet

Radiation of Wavelengths between 180 nm and 400 nm (Incoherent
Optical Radiation). Health Physics, 87(2), 171-186.
o Welch, D., Buonanno, M., Grilj, V., et al. (2018). Far-UVC light: A
new tool to control the spread of airborne-mediated microbial
diseases. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 2752.
o Sliney, D. H. (2013). Balancing the risk of eye irritation from UV-C
with infection from bioaerosols. Photochemistry and Photobiology,
89(4), 770-776
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Ethical Assessment of Administrator's Argument:

1. Patient and Public Safety:

o Continuous UV disinfection does indeed lower the spread of
infections, benefiting patient health.
o However, prioritizing immediate disinfection over assessing health
risks could expose patients and staff to preventable harm.
2. Hospital Staff Safety:
o Staff will have increased UV exposure in their workspace, potentially
leading to skin and eye complications (ICNIRP, 2004).
o Ethical guidelines demand minimizing risks and balancing benefits
against harm, suggesting that unproven assumptions on safety should
not override long-term health considerations (ASME, 2012).
3. Engineering Ethics and Guidelines:
o Engineering ethics emphasize safety, integrity, and transparency, with
the obligation to "do no harm" and protect public welfare (NSPE,
2019).
o Compromising on UV safety without sufficient evidence conflicts
with the commitment to patient and staff safety and undermines public
trust.

Conclusion:

Approval should be conditional on thorough risk assessments and protective

measures, aligning with ethical guidelines that prioritize informed decision-
making for all stakeholders.

References:

 ICNIRP (2004). Guidelines on Limits of Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation.

 ASME Code of Ethics of Engineers (2012).
 NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers (2019).